So this week, I listened to a free webinar during one of George's naps about being more productive. I liked it. They asked you to brainstorm all the projects you want to do and then pick at least two (one just for you and one that either weighs the most on you or you think would make the biggest difference for you. ) Then you break down those projects into their simplest steps, like gather materials, find tape measure, buy box. .. then you make some weekly goals of these small steps and divide them by category- phone calls, errands, computer and at home were suggested categories. Then when you have spare time you can work on a small step in 15 minutes or less and still accomplish something that works towards a focused goal. The goal is to finish at least 2 projects each month. Anyways, according to my goals I was pretty successful. I feel the best about rearranging George's room and finishing my "chore" project. I divided our house into "weeks" or partial weeks, so I can clean the house in a month. This week was focusing on George's room. And then I have some things (like laundry, toilets, vacuuming the living room. .. ) that need to be done weekly, and daily chores. Anyways, I have each chore on a popsicle stick with a magnet and the different weeks in envelopes. I finished all of these chores this week which included cleaning the stove.
Other notes- George had his year check up and got 4 shots. We went to see Llama Llama at the library (they had a song, a felt board story, a short movie and then Llama Llama came! ) George really liked it and we have 3 of the books already. Then we had some of George's friends over (we were babysitting for institute). It was a pretty good week.
Another thing I have been getting better at- meal plans. :-) we have a store that advertises weekly sales for the following week. I've started shopping there and grabbing an ad for the next week, then I can plan my meals based on what we like, what's healthy and what's on sale. I allow a little leeway in my food budget and don't plan out every dollar. This allowed me to buy some Sriracha mac n cheese with sausage (a microwave meal that serves 4) for $1.50. George loved it. :-) I have been making one crock pot meal a week and freezing the extras so on busier or lazier days I have easy, healthy meals to just throw in the microwave. (George has been going through a picky stage but he consistently likes: yogurt, mac n cheese, fig newton's, bananas, apples, chicken nuggets or breaded chicken, beans, lentils and usually potatoes (always french fries)).
We also had a few people over tonight for Sunday dinner and it was very nice. I want to do it more. :-)
Thoughts this week revolve around the new church policy. Not that you differ in opinion but I want to mention a few things. 1- being a member of this Church means we believe there is a prophet on the earth today who is the Lord's mouthpiece and He is doing what the Lord wants which means accepting new policies. We can seek understanding, but we accept it on faith in the meantime. 2- people say the policy means we're putting the sins of the father on the child. Yes we believe we are accountable at the age of 8, but this does not mean someone is dammed if they are not baptized immediately. So yes a child of homosexual parents has to wait till they are 18, but this doesn't mean they are accountable for their parents actions. Someone who is 18 is legally able to remove themselves from the situation and more emotionally mature. At baptism we covenant to keep the commandments, one of which is to share the gospel and be an example. So a child is supposed to come to terms with the fact that their parents are sinning and the only way to stop is to break up their family. In divorces, children already blame themselves, even if it has nothing to do with them. Yet for a child with gay parents, breaking up their family is the solution. When one turns 18, I think it is easier for one to love and respect their parents and know that their parents loved them yet still admit that they're not perfect. 3- people seem to get so offended when we say acting on homosexuality is a sin. So what? We believe everyone is a sinner. We believe those who drink are sinning, yet my friends who drink somehow aren't offended that I feel that way about drinking. And many other things. 4- homosexuality and blacks and the priesthood. Many feel that the policies regarding homosexuality is like blacks and the priesthood- that they are a mistake and it's only a matter of time before the prophet comes to his senses. First off, the prophet had been praying for blacks to have the priesthood for like 20 years (a very long time, whatever the actual amount was). It had nothing to do with the prophet being racist. (True there had been others who were racist- even proteus have faults but I believe what happened was right. ) the church was persecuted from the start. I think it was a matter of the world being ready for the blacks to have the priesthood it was not a matter of it truly being wrong. It's similar to why the church was restored in 1820. The reformation and the beginnings of a new country with religious freedom had to be established first. With blacks and the priesthood, I feel that certain civil rights movements had to happen first. But with homosexuality, civil rights issues have happened and the church, instead of changing because the world now accepts it, is reaffirming their position. This tells me it is not the same. But it is not the only thing. Our goal in life is to return Home. To become like our Heavenly Parents. We believe in eternal progression, which means that those who reach the highest tier of the celestial kingdom will have spirit children of their own. Here on earth people say homosexuals make better parents than the straight people who put them up for adoption. This is true or can be. But in heaven, those who are parents are not irresponsible. There won't be kids given up for adoption. So who can be sealed (married) for eternity? Those who can receive the promise of the sealing which is to have posterity. This takes a man and a woman. It does not change in heaven because gender is eternal. Eternal marriage is not solely about love, it is about procreation. Anyways, I know I'm preaching to the choir here. I know that families can be together forever. I know my eternal destiny. I love being a mom. I had an awesome example of what to do. I do not look down on those who have chosen to pursue same sex marriage, but it does not change my view that eternal marriage is only between a man and a woman. I love you all. I'm grateful you're my family and my friends (Cassie has been my friend for 8 years- that's what Facebook says. ...). Looking forward to Thanksgiving and seeing little Andi (my phone thinks Andi should be Amdo/abdi/anak)!
